Airport move part of a bigger plan

The relocation of flight operators from Virginia Airport was necessary to encourage economic development, said KZN premier Senzo Mchunu.

|||

Durban - While the relocation of flight operators from Virginia Airport to Scottburgh had sparked controversy, change was necessary to encourage and sustain economic development, said KwaZulu-Natal premier, Senzo Mchunu.

The premier shared this view at a business breakfast on Tuesday hosted by the eLan Property Group and The Mercury.

“Discussions and engagements are ongoing between the stakeholders and the eThekwini Municipality, but what we need to remember is that the move makes sense. Investing and growing a larger airport in the south (in Scottburgh) will be the catalyst that moves us beyond 2022, when we host the Commonwealth Games,” he said.

The issue was catapulted back to the fore last week after a South African company offered the city a R6.1 billion deal to develop the site with hotels, offices and upmarket homes.

The investment company would source funding and develop a new airport, five times the size of Virginia Airport in Scottburgh, the city said in a statement.

Once the city receives input and comments, a decision on whether to accept the proposal will be made.

Mchunu said there were plans, once details of the move had been finalised, to extend the city’s promenade through Virginia and all the way to Gateway.

He said the province was in talks with the army to move its base to Scottburgh too.

“We are also looking at expanding King Shaka International Airport with another runway, while making the Dube Tradeport an ‘aerotropolis’, equipped with hotels, restaurants and other new additions.”

Airports would not be the only “ports” to receive a facelift.

The Richards Bay and Durban harbours would also be subject to scrutiny. “Despite our extensive coastline, there is currently no ship made in South Africa. We need to change that.”

Daily News